Benefits and Perspectives of Adopting Soybean-IPM: The Success of a Brazilian Programme

Abstract

Soybean, Glycine max (Fabaceae), is considered one of the world’s most important crops. Planted on millions of hectares worldwide, the management of soybean pests usually requires large amounts of chemicals. Currently, integrated pest management (IPM) is one way to protect crops through the integration of different pest control tools based on plant tolerance, adoption of economic thresholds (ETs), scouting procedures, use of selective insecticides, biological control, and other sustainable pest management tools, which helps to maintain environmental quality in an ecological and economical manner. This soybean-IPM case study in Brazil is an example of how it is possible to manage soybean fields sustainably, preserving or even increasing productivity and reducing production costs, consequently, maximizing profits. In this case, we discuss the advantages and benefits as well as possible challenges for soybean-IPM adoption. We provide examples of how to reinforce the importance of IPM by focusing on experiences from Brazil, one of the major soybean producers and exporters in the world. We analyse IPM case studies to illustrate the importance for farmers to have easy and fast access to information on medium- and long-term benefits of IPM. Overall, this case highlights both the successful achievements of the Parana State in Brazil and how important IPM is for soybean sustainability. © The Authors 2023